Baltic Metropoles Tour

Overview:

Holiday price is from £ 1,515 per person based on availability and two people sharing a standard twin or double room. Single supplement is £ 560

 2024 Departure Dates:

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 (Sunday): Arrival in Vilnius

Arrival in Vilnius, transfer to Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva or similar, check-in, welcome meeting. Accommodation in Hotel Radisson Blu Lietuva or similar

Day 2 (Monday): Vilnius 

Vilnius is known for its more than 1.200 medieval buildings and 48 churches. The morning sightseeing tour includes a panoramic tour of the city and a walking tour of the Old Town with Vilnius Cathedral, Gediminas Tower, Peter and Paul Church, St. Anne’s Church, Old University and the Gates of Dawn. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Trakai, the medieval capital of Lithuania, with the well preserved Trakai Castle, beautifully located on an island in Lake Galve. In the evening enjoy an optional Lithuanian dinner at Senoji Trobele.

Day 3 (Tuesday): Vilnius - Riga

Heading for Riga, the first stop is the Hill of Crosses, one of the most holy sites of Catholic Lithuania. After crossing into Latvia, we soon reach the magnificent Rundale Palace, the former summer residence of the Duke of Courland. Following a guided tour of the palace we travel through the rolling hills of Southern Latvia to reach Riga late afternoon, check-in at Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija or similar.

Accommodation in Hotel Radisson Blu Latvija or similar.

Day 4 (Wednesday): Riga

Founded in 1201 by the German bishop Albert, Riga is the largest of the three Baltic capitals and boasts a real kaleidoscope of architectural styles. The walking tour of the Old Town includes Riga Castle, the Dome Cathedral, St. Peter’s Church, the Swedish Gate, the Three Brothers, the Large and Small Guilds and the Freedom Monument. The afternoon is reserved for an optional visit to Jurmala, the vibrant Latvian sea resort, famous for its wooden architecture and sandy beaches. The evening offers an optional organ concert at the Dome Cathedral.

Day 5 (Thursday): Riga

After we got acquainted with Riga, we have the possibility of discovering medieval Latvia. The optional tour for this morning takes us to the stunning scenery of the Gauja National Park and the town of Sigulda. We listen to the medieval Latvian legend of the Rose of Turaida and see the ruins of the Episcopal Castle and of the Castle of the Knights of the Sword before we return to Riga. The afternoon offers an optional visit to the Riga Motor Museum which has an impressive collection of vintage car including a very unique collection of old Soviet limousines from the Kremlin Garage. In the evening enjoy an optional Latvian dinner at the stylish Restaurant Three.

Day 6 (Friday): Riga - Tallinn

The tour continues along the coastal highway to the Estonian summer resort of Parnu. We do a short tour of the resort before we continue through the North Estonian land of forests and arrive in Tallinn early afternoon, check-in at the Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia or similar.

Accommodation in Hotel Radisson Blu Olympia or similar.

Day 7 (Saturday): Tallinn

Tallinn is a charming blend of medieval tranquillity and modern urban life. The medieval Old Town is a busy place in the summer with its many shops, galleries, souvenir markets, outdoor cafés and restaurants. The sightseeing tour takes us around the old medieval city walls and into the Old Town where we see Toompea Castle, Dome Church, Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, medieval Old Town Hall and Great Guild Hall. In the afternoon an optional excursion is offered to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU, the award-winning new Estonian Art museum, with its collections of classic and contemporary fine art. The evening offers an optional medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv.

Day 8 (Sunday): Tallinn - Helsinki 

This day offers an optional day excursion to Lahemaa National Park, where we visit Palmse Manor, a memorial to the von Pahlen family, and Sagadi Manor. The tour ends with a visit to the charming 16th century Vihula Manor and the Vodka Museum. After lunch break, we head back to Tallinn to take the ferry to Helsinki and enjoy a refreshing tour through the Finnish archipelago before arriving in Helsinki. Upon arrival we are transferred to our hotel and check-in at Hotel Glo Art or similar.

Day 9 (Monday): Helsinki 

Helsinki is truly located at the crossroads of Western and Eastern culture and this is reflected everywhere in the green and lively Finnish capital. The sightseeing tour takes us around the harbours and the Senate Square with the Lutheran Cathedral, up central Mannerheim Street and by the Parliament Building, the Finlandia Hall, and the Sibelius Monument and for a visit at the famous Church-in-the-Rock. The afternoon offers an optional excursion to Suomenlinna Fortress, a cultural treasure which construction was started in the 18th century as a sea fortress. Located on an island, fortress is a unique attraction for visitors.

Day 10 (Tuesday): Departure from Helsinki 

Breakfast at the hotel. If time permits, explore more of Helsinki before transfer to the airport.

Package Includes:

• Direct flights from London to Vilnius and return from Helsinki (we can arrange connecting flights from other airports upon request)
• 1 piece of check-in luggage per traveler (up to 20 kg)
• Airport transfers in Vilnius and Helsinki 
• 9 overnights at centrally located 4 star hotels
• 9 x buffet breakfast
• Welcome meeting with champagne-cocktail or juice
• Personalised welcome package
• Entrances to Peter and Paul Church in Vilnius, Rundale Palace, medieval Great Guild Hall in Tallinn and Church-in-the-Rock in Helsinki
• Service of English speaking tour escort on all tours
• Service of 1st class motor coaches or 1st class minivans throughout the itinerary
• Ferry ticket Tallinn-Helsinki OW (2nd class)
• Portage at hotels 

• 24 hour emergency service
• ATOL protection
• All taxes

Optional Tours & Meals:

• 3-hour excursion to Trakai and visit to Trakai Castle: £ 45 pp
• Lithuanian dinner at Restaurant Senoji Trobele: £ 45 pp
• 4-hour excursion to Gauja National Park: £ 50 pp
• 3-hour excursion to the Riga Motor Museum: £ 45 pp
• Organ concert at the Dome Cathedral: £ 35 pp
• 4-hour excursion to Jurmala: £ 40 pp
• 3-hour excursion to Ethnographical Open Air museum: £ 45 pp
• Latvian dinner at Restaurant Kalku Varti: £ 50 pp
• 3-hour excursion to Kadriorg Park and visit to KUMU: £ 45 pp
• Medieval dinner at Restaurant Maikrahv: £ 50 pp
• 6-hour excursion to Lahemaa National Park: £ 70 pp
• 3-hour excursion with water bus to the Suomenlinna Fortress: £ 65 pp
• Half board at hotels (9 x 3 course dinner with coffee/tea): £ 365 pp